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Identity: Larry Cummins Bushranger
It’s 1850's and New South Wales, Australia is awash with gold. Bushrangers are in the press, their names on everyone’s lips: Ben Hall, Frank Gardiner, John Peisley, Dan Morgan, Captain Thunderbolt. They roam free, uninhibited, spending big in the shanties. The girls love them, these wild boys.
Teenager, Larry Cummins, decides to throw his hand in with them. He’ll think about consequences later.
Bail the coach. Grab the bank’s cash. Scarper. Take the bullets, the whips, societal stings. If you weaken you die…
A tale of adventure, love, tragedy and redemption, touchingly told by Larry Cummins’ great-grandson, multi-award-
Teenager, Larry Cummins, decides to throw his hand in with them. He’ll think about consequences later.
Bail the coach. Grab the bank’s cash. Scarper. Take the bullets, the whips, societal stings. If you weaken you die…
A tale of adventure, love, tragedy and redemption, touchingly told by Larry Cummins’ great-grandson, multi-award-
230 pages, Paperback
Published November 12, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 22, 2023
Peter Long once again takes us back to colonial Australia for a captivating study of self in the aptly names Identity!
As someone who never considered having an interest in 1800s Australia, Long’s passion for the history and obsession with vivid details paints a compelling picture of the time. Add to that, a seamless exploration of modern day themes within a different, 150 year old world and you’ve got another fantastic novel!
It’s a fantastic novel of justice, family, determination, esteem and self-perception. Would recommend this to anyone!
As someone who never considered having an interest in 1800s Australia, Long’s passion for the history and obsession with vivid details paints a compelling picture of the time. Add to that, a seamless exploration of modern day themes within a different, 150 year old world and you’ve got another fantastic novel!
It’s a fantastic novel of justice, family, determination, esteem and self-perception. Would recommend this to anyone!
March 19, 2025
Oh to be a bushranger, living upon a horse in Australia's beautiful high country.
This was a remarkable story, and true at that. A few thrilling chapters hidden in there, and also very depressive lows. Last half of the novel captured me completely.
This was a remarkable story, and true at that. A few thrilling chapters hidden in there, and also very depressive lows. Last half of the novel captured me completely.
January 18, 2024
Larry Cummins was not all that good at being a bushranger in Australia in the late 19th century. He ended up in jail several times. And although his surname may at one time have been Cummins, Peter Long, the author of the book, is indeed Larry's great-grandson.
Peter Long tells Larry Cummins/Long's story in historical fiction form, with wit and strong research. He is particularly good at conveying Larry's complex emotions while he is in jail, mostly in solitary confinement and out of touch with his family. When Larry's not in jail, we ride along with him, sometimes on a wild chase by persistent police troopers. We may not always like Larry, and feel he sometimes gets what he deserves, but we have to admire his resilience as he bounces back time after time.
Peter Long tells Larry Cummins/Long's story in historical fiction form, with wit and strong research. He is particularly good at conveying Larry's complex emotions while he is in jail, mostly in solitary confinement and out of touch with his family. When Larry's not in jail, we ride along with him, sometimes on a wild chase by persistent police troopers. We may not always like Larry, and feel he sometimes gets what he deserves, but we have to admire his resilience as he bounces back time after time.
December 25, 2023
The story is riveting, yet the way the story is told is what kept me turning pages. I loved the authentic voices, and the fine details that surrounded the characters. It had a fast pace and some harsh realities that left me wondering if I could have endured such a life. Great read!
December 9, 2023
How do you write a book about a dead relative? A relative that killed his own brother? A relative that was a bushranger? Can this be done with empathy, realism and also detachment? Peter Long demonstrates in this incredibly clever book that it is possible.
Tackling a family history, one which has both secrets and information on the public record, is never easy and yet Peter Long has succeeded in producing a gripping and confronting book. One chapter stays with me — this is where Long bravely breaks the fourth wall and the long dead gaoled bushranger challenges the reader to listen to the water drips in his cell. At first I thought this was twee but then I did as the bushranger asked and really did listen…
Long has an excellent grasp of Australian history and this is brought vividly to life in. this remarkable book. Larry Cummins the bushranger is no Captain Moonlite, Captain Thunderbolt or Ned Kelly, but he is an Australian whose story deserves to be known. Peter Long deserves applause for bringing his difficult but intriguing life to our attention.
Tackling a family history, one which has both secrets and information on the public record, is never easy and yet Peter Long has succeeded in producing a gripping and confronting book. One chapter stays with me — this is where Long bravely breaks the fourth wall and the long dead gaoled bushranger challenges the reader to listen to the water drips in his cell. At first I thought this was twee but then I did as the bushranger asked and really did listen…
Long has an excellent grasp of Australian history and this is brought vividly to life in. this remarkable book. Larry Cummins the bushranger is no Captain Moonlite, Captain Thunderbolt or Ned Kelly, but he is an Australian whose story deserves to be known. Peter Long deserves applause for bringing his difficult but intriguing life to our attention.
January 8, 2024
A wonderful follow up to Steve Hart – The last Kelly Standing. The way in which Peter Long has authentically recreated the essence of 1860s colonial Australia, told through the eyes of various characters, is nothing short of masterful. Colloquial dialogue, visceral descriptions and impeccable research, all weave together to form a vivid story, a time capsule to the past. The plight of Larry Cummins’ colourful life of adventure, heartache, resolve, and risk taking, has been beautifully recreated by an author whose family connections make the story heartfelt and real. You’ll peer down Larry’s rifle sights, smell the gunpowder, gallop astride a colt pursued by an unrelenting trooper. You’ll laugh, cry and suffer with him, you’ll smell the sweetness of freedom, rebuild a life, find love again, endure hard times, take a chance. And you never know who might make an appearance in this metaphoric retelling of history. An intriguing and reflective ending.
January 11, 2024
On November 12 2023,I was privileged to attend the launch of award-winning author Peter Long’s latest book, ‘Identity: Larry Cummins Bushranger.'
It was such a great event. Peter wrote this novel following a family funeral where it emerged that his family were not all descended from the eminent Bonythons of South Australia as he believed, but that a bush ranger lurked amongst his ancestors.
I thoroughly enjoyed Peter’s first book, 'Steve Hart, The Last Kelly Standing 'and 'Identity' is a real page turner. Peter immerses the reader in mid 1800’s Australia with evocative details about bushranging life from different points of view. In the opening pages the reader sweats through the hold-up of the Mudgee mail coach and from there becomes engrossed in the lives of Peter’s characters as the day-to day-reality of their survival is revealed in cinematic style. Do yourself a favour and get a copy.
It was such a great event. Peter wrote this novel following a family funeral where it emerged that his family were not all descended from the eminent Bonythons of South Australia as he believed, but that a bush ranger lurked amongst his ancestors.
I thoroughly enjoyed Peter’s first book, 'Steve Hart, The Last Kelly Standing 'and 'Identity' is a real page turner. Peter immerses the reader in mid 1800’s Australia with evocative details about bushranging life from different points of view. In the opening pages the reader sweats through the hold-up of the Mudgee mail coach and from there becomes engrossed in the lives of Peter’s characters as the day-to day-reality of their survival is revealed in cinematic style. Do yourself a favour and get a copy.
January 29, 2024
A sweeping story of adventure, love, loss & redemption
This beautifully written work of narrative non-fiction is an epic tale that explores the life of Australian bushranger Larry Cummins and the impact that identity, in all its shape-shifting ways, makes its mark on us.
We know truth is so often better than fiction and that's the case here. Larry is a complex character, but one I felt I understood and really admired by the book's final page. The steadfast love of his Irish mother and Larry's late, but untarnished love story with Ellen were my favourite parts.
This beautifully written work of narrative non-fiction is an epic tale that explores the life of Australian bushranger Larry Cummins and the impact that identity, in all its shape-shifting ways, makes its mark on us.
We know truth is so often better than fiction and that's the case here. Larry is a complex character, but one I felt I understood and really admired by the book's final page. The steadfast love of his Irish mother and Larry's late, but untarnished love story with Ellen were my favourite parts.
February 8, 2024
A brilliant Australian outback/bushranger tale that leaves a lasting impression on the reader - especially if you've spent any time in the Australian country.
March 17, 2024
Great read! Have recommended to family and friends :)
July 24, 2024
This Was an amazing book, would read again.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews